a loading screen says As a vampire, people may comment on your unusual appearance, but they don't ever attack you or shun you like they do the werewolf. they attack werewolfs?????

Only if you are obviously a Werewolf.(beast form)

they also attack you while being a vampire lord (transformed) so it doesnt make sense

That tip was in the base game before Dawnguard.

ohhh ok i thought it was after thanks

My character is a vampire(not lord) and has no trouble dealing with shopkeepers.....though his eyes do have a "bad hunger to them"

Wouldn't you attack a vampire lord if you saw one? They don't have the most welcoming of looks.

I don't know. They look kind of... cuddly.

I don't know, the citizens of Skyrim can be pretty stupid. Adrianne likes charging at them with her iron dagger.

lol just like Ysolda, saying "Is that all you got?" to an Ancient Dragon...